Often times in the NFL it is hard to decipher a play on tape. I like to think I know the x's and o's of football (especially on defense) but NFL coordinators get paid big bucks for a reason. They design things to confuse the smartest of quarterbacks. This is such a play. I will do my best, but understand I have limited knowledge on why and how.

Late in the 2nd quarter, the Bucs were tasked with holding off a final drive from the Seahawks to go up by more than 7. They backed Seattle up to a 3rd and 14 (very long) which is an obvious passing down if the 'Hawks are looking to actually pick up the first. Often times HC's don't take the chance and run a draw or a screen pass (the safe move) but Mora decides to be aggresssive, which I can appreciate.

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More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

about 1 month ago: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman reacts as he leaves the field after throwing a fourth quarter interception to the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game Sunday Nov. 22, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 38-7. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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Everyone is pulling for Josh Freeman to succeed. He seems to stay out of the media spotlight, is by all accounts a nice guy and he is our quarterback. However, is he showing any promise that he will succeed? Below is a player comparison. One of the players is Josh Freeman, you guess the other two guys (The answer is after the jump).

Player A - 5.48 Yards / Attempt, 10.87/Per Completion, 8.1% Sack Rate, 50.4% Completion %, 6.4% INT%, 9.8% TO Rate, 3.2% TD Rate

Player B - 6.0 Yards / Attempt, 11.0/Per Comletion, 7.3% Sack Rate, 52.5% Completion %, 6.4% INT Rate, 10.18% TO Rate, 3.5% TD Rate

Player C - 5.1 Yards / Attempt, 10.7/Per Completion, 12.0% Sack Rate, 48% Cmp %, 3.4 INT%, 15% TO Rate, 0.9% TD Rate

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For weeks I was working on a big piece about the defense. Compiling numbers and analysis to show you just how bad we were. Morris made an easy decision by taking over as the defensive play-caller and things have started to change. There are many factors working in this, the offenses we have played versus whether or not the play-calling has improved. Regardless, the numbers are light-years better.

Over the season the Bucs were allowing opponents to convert on over 40% of their third-down conversions. It was good enough for 22nd in the league. However, the past 3 weeks it has improved to 34%, which is about where the 7th and 8th ranked teams are. That is tremendous. This weeks slow-motion is a 3rd and 7 for the Panthers from their own 23 Yard line.

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On behalf of the Buc 'Em staff, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy time with your friends and family. Enjoy food and football.

We are thankful to you for being faithful readers, an excellent community and enthusiastic Buc fans. We are also all thankful for our Soldiers and their families who make the many sacrifices to protect our Freedom and Liberty so that we may enjoy trivial things such as a miserable Bucs season or a Super Bowl Ring.

Regarding the Bucs, what are you thankful for this year?

Be safe, be lazy and be thankful! Gobble Gobble.

When you think of Carnell Williams you surely don't think of a big, powerful back. Williams has great vision and some quick steps, but is 5-11, 215. In this weeks slow-motion rewind you will get a glimpse while even after 2 knee surgeries Williams remains as the starter of the Bucs.

We look at a 2nd and 5 from about the 8 yard line (in High Quality, Slow Motion. Enjoy).

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It's that time friends, for another edition of Slowing it Down. This week we are back to analyzing an offensive play.

This week we look at a play in which the Bucs are lined up in Shotgun. They have 3 WR, with the strength to the wide side of the field (K2 and two WR). It looks like Stovall, though I can't see the white numbers is line up at the bottom of the screen. DWard in the backfield.

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I've just been reading a lot of nonsense and excitement this past week mostly stemming from Freemans OK game against GNB. Here are some cliches that are used by sportscasters and fans alike that need to be squashed. They mean absolutely nothing.

"He sure does have a lot of poise." - I think the only thing that is going to keep someone from saying this about a quarterback is if he literally urinates himself on national TV. It's said when quarterbacks stand in the pocket and wait for plays to develop (their job). It's said when quarterbacks leave the pocket and throw the ball. It's said when they decide to throw it away. It's said when a quarterback audibles. It's said when they take the field. It's a bunch of garbage speak that means absolutely nothing.

"He wants to be a Quarterback first and run second." What fast, scrambling quarterback is this not said about? Of course they want to be a quarterback first, because it's the only way they can market themselves to potential employers. They say it because it's what people want to hear. There is nothing wrong with being a scrambling quarterback, just own it. Stop trying to be Dan Marino when you are Randall Cunningham.

"The TE is a young quarterbacks security blanket." - I get why 'they' say this. It's essentially a big WR that in theory shouldn't be deep downfield. However, I have never seen any numbers to back it up. Frankly, I think it's more dangerous considering you are throwing over the middle where anything can happen.

"The coaches love his strong arm." - First, Chad Pennington is the only one with a weak arm. Second, what does this mean? Does this mean he can zip it like Brett Favre, or does this mean he throws a good deep ball. Lastly, Is this good? Do you want a quarterback who relies on his strength to complete passes? I don't think that works a lot of times. Sure, extra zip helps in certain situations, but it first takes an intelligent quarterback to make these kind of decisions. I want a High football IQ Quarterback. They succeed at a much higher rate.

What are your pet peeves?